Summary: Traditional toothpaste has been around for as long as we can remember. But have you ever stopped to read the ingredients? There are some additives in traditional toothpaste that you probably want to avoid.
You do not have to be a sustainability specialist or seasoned environmentalist to practice a sustainability-minded, zero-waste lifestyle. And if you are just beginning, one of the most personal ways to start the journey is to focus on your oral care routine.
You brush your teeth at least twice a day, right? You might even use mouthwash on a daily basis. Yet, like most of us, we're betting you rarely stop to think about what is coming out of that toothpaste tube. It is more than just a substance to clean your teeth. Go ahead and read the ingredients. You might be surprised.
EcoFam is built on the zero-waste principle. But we also believe in making products that are as healthy and natural as possible. Some of the ingredients found in traditional toothpaste and mouthwash simply don't need to be there. They are essentially additives that you can avoid by choice. EcoFam toothpaste tablets and mouthwash products offer a cleaner, safer, and equally effective alternative.
Sodium Laurel Sulfate (SLS)
Traditional toothpaste is likely to contain SLS, a surfactant manufacturers rely on to create that familiar foam. The foam itself is good. In fact, it helps facilitate the removal of food and plaque from the teeth. But what is in the foam matters.
SLS wasn't originally used as a toothpaste ingredient. One of its earliest documented uses occurred during World War II, where it was used as an engine de-greaser. It is still used for that purpose today. Is it something you really want in your mouth?
The Risk
As a harsh detergent, SLS is also an irritant. It is used to clean industrial floors and engines for a reason. Even in the small amounts found in toothpaste, it can cause a variety of problems, including dry mouth and gum inflammation. It is a suspect in recurring canker sores as well.
The EcoFam Solution
We believe your mouth isn't the right place for SLS, which is why our toothpaste tablets and mouthwash are 100% SLS-free. EcoFam products provide a gentle, non-irritating clean purposely designed not to harm your mouth.
Artificial Sweeteners
Chemical detergents don't taste all that good. They can be quite bitter. In order to overcome that problem, manufacturers tend to load their toothpaste with artificial sweeteners. Saccharin and aspartame are two of the most popular artificial sweeteners.
The Risk
Though never definitively proven, saccharin and aspartame have been linked to a variety of health concerns. Headaches and metabolic disruption are just two examples. The most important thing to understand is that they provide no benefits in support of oral health.
The EcoFam Solution
We see no need to add chemical sweeteners to mouthwash or toothpaste. So instead of ingredients like saccharine and aspartame, we make our products tastier using natural substances like xylitol and sorbitol. Both are naturally derived sweeteners that can actually improve oral health. For example, xylitol helps neutralize oral acid. It even starves harmful bacteria, reducing the risk of enamel loss.
Artificial Dyes and Colors
Has it ever occurred to you that neon green and bright blue are odd colors for toothpaste? Those colors are not the result of mixing ingredients and letting them be. They are created by adding synthetic dyes. Think Blue 1 or Yellow 5. Some dyes manufacturers rely on are actually derived from coal tar and petroleum.
The Risk
Artificial dyes and colors are ostensibly added to make toothpaste more attractive. But your teeth and gums don't care what toothpaste looks like. Color is a purely aesthetic feature. And unfortunately, artificial dyes have been linked to allergic reactions, hyperactivity in children, and more.
The EcoFam Solution
EcoFam toothpaste tablets are 100% dye-free. They are naturally white, made so by the pure minerals – calcium carbonate and bentonite clay, for example – in them. The minerals do the actual work of polishing your teeth for a beautiful smile without chemically derived coloring.
Triclosan
An antibacterial chemical known as triclosan can still be found in some brands of toothpaste designed to prevent gingivitis. Interestingly, manufacturers can no longer put it in antibacterial soaps. If you cannot put it on your skin, why would you put it in your mouth?
The Risk
The risk with triclosan is that it could be an endocrine disruptor. In other words, it could interfere with thyroid hormones or possibly contribute to antibiotic resistance. As the world faces increasingly aggressive and resistant bacteria, the last thing we need is a chemical that makes bacteria stronger.
The EcoFam Solution
It is important that oral care products offer antibacterial properties. But there is no need to achieve such properties with chemicals. We rely on natural ingredients like menthol and aloe vera to provide antibacterial protection while also ensuring fresh breath and healthy gums. There is no hormonal or antibiotic resistance baggage to speak of.
Plastic Micro-Beads
Although plastic micro-beads are being phased out of traditional toothpaste, some brands still contain them. The micro-beads are designed to scrub the teeth more thoroughly. In theory, they would be flushed out when you spit and rinse. But what about reality?
The Risk
Microplastics are generally too small to be filtered out at municipal water treatment plants. They end up back in oceans, rivers, and streams. They end up in the food chain. And if they get trapped in your gums while you brush, they could cause irritation. You could ultimately end up swallowing them as well.
The EcoFam Solution
EcoFam toothpaste tablets contain zero plastic micro-beads. The scrubbing power comes from two natural ingredients: microcrystalline cellulose (a plant fiber) and calcium carbonate. Both are gentle yet effective. Both are fully biodegradable.
Only the Best Ingredients
EcoFam mouthwash and toothpaste tablets do not contain any of the additives you should probably be avoiding. In addition to what we have already mentioned, our products also contain nano-hydroxyapatite rather than fluoride. Keep that in mind if you're looking to implement a sustainability-focused, zero-waste lifestyle.
FAQs
If SLS is not a good thing, why does it make my mouth feel clean?
The clean feeling comes from the chemical's characteristics as a detergent. But feeling clean does it necessarily mean the results of brushing with an SLS-containing toothpaste are good.
Do artificial sweeteners get absorbed by the body?
Artificial sweeteners might not be a problem if they were all expelled from your mouth when you rinse and spit. But the gums and mouth lining are both highly absorbent. Chemicals like saccharin and aspartame are absorbed into the bloodstream through these surfaces even as you are brushing.
Is nano-hydroxyapatite as good as fluoride?
Yes. Nano-hydroxyapatite is the mineral your teeth are actually made of. So it is the ideal ingredient to help your teeth re-mineralize while brushing.
Do toothpaste tablets scrub as well as toothpaste?
They do, thanks to the use of mild abrasives like calcium carbonate and bentonite clay. Both abrasives are minerals found in nature.
Is xylitol safe for everyone?
Xylitol is a naturally derived sweetener that is safe for every human member of your family. It is not safe for dogs, so make sure you keep your EcoFam mouthwash and toothpaste tablets out of reach.
